Expert answer

Hi Colette,

Keep an eye out for turbo issues on the 1.5 diesel, and listen very carefully for any knocking coming from the suspension. Some of the interior fittings can be a bit fragile too. Other than that, they’re pretty solid, as long as you buy with a full service history. Oh and, yes, they’re economical — you should easily get 45-50mpg in daily driving.

Expert answer

Hi Mike,

The official figure for this car on the combined cycle is 5.7 litres/100km (49.6mpg). We'd expect most drivers to get close to 40mpg so long as all their driving isn't in town.

Hope that's of use

Expert answer

Hi John,

Well, the Road Safety Authority specifies that you must take 12 hours minimum of professional instruction before you can apply for your test, but they don’t specify that it must be done in Ireland. As the UK is recognised as a competent authority for driving standards (our licences are interchangeable etc) they might just accept that your existing 30 hours has you covered. Give them a ring on 1890 40 60 40 and ask.

Expert answer

Hi Claire,

Purely in terms of the technical definition of power, yes, the 1.2 TSI 105hp Golf has the same power as a 1.6-litre TDI diesel with 105hp. However, something called torque is more important to everyday driving, and the diesel has a good chunk more of that. That will mean the diesel will feel quicker without the need to put your foot down, i.e. how most people drive.

Expert answer

Hi Fady,

Toyota Ireland has confirmed that the new RAV4 arrives in March. We'll be driving it then.

Expert answer

Hi Teresa,

A 2008 Kia Sportage, with the 2.0 CRDi diesel engine, had official fuel consumption of 7.1 litres per 100km, or 39mpg. We’d expect one, now, to get around 30-35mpg in daily driving. As for choosing one over a Hyundai Tucson, well mechanically they’re identical, but we always slightly preferred the cleaner styling of that generation of Sportage. 

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

It depends where you’re doing most of your driving. The Toyota Prius+ has CO₂ emissions of just 106g/km, and can get 60mpg if driven very, very gently, but it’ll be way too thirsty if you’re doing lots of motorway miles. The best diesel-engined MPVs are probably the 1.6 TDI VW Touran, the 1.6 HDi Citroen C3 Picasso, or the 1.5 dCi Renault Scenic.

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

The last-generation Primera was generally speaking not as solidly built nor as reliable as earlier models, but it’s still a cut above average for its age, and should be solid enough as long as it comes with a full service history. That 1.6-litre will struggle with the weight of the car, though, so don’t expect to get much better than 35-40mpg out of it in daily driving, and check to see if it’s been used as a taxi in the past, as many were.

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

Expert answer

Hi Garath,

Yes, absolutely. True, diesel values are softening a little with all the adverse publicity, but the 520d is a car that’s going to retain its allure for a while yet, and in the meantime it’s frugal, refined and brilliant to drive. If you’re a low-mileage driver, it’s very definitely worth considering either a petrol 520i or a plugin-hybrid 530e, but for long-distance driving the 520d is still king.